Australian firm Charles Wright Architects used a mixture of precast and in-situ concrete to construct a house that can withstand the most powerful cyclones in northern Queensland (+ slideshow).

The two-storey residence hangs over the edge of a lake in a beachfront rainforest area that is prone to tropical cyclones at the top end of the meteorological scales. The chunky cantilevered volumes are not only strong enough to withstand these cyclones but also prevent water from getting in during any accompanying floods.

Charles Wright Architects designed the building to be self-sufficient, so it functions entirely off-grid. Solar panels on the roof generate electricity, while a 250,000-litre water system lets residents take advantage of rainwater harvesting and grey-water recycling technologies.

"The aim was not to simply produce an engineered outcome," explain the architects, "but to produce a building which made the most of the site's natural amenity and reintroduced the surrounding native wetland environment."

Named Stamp House, the building has an embellished exterior featuring a grid of circular indents that dot across the walls and roof.

The entrance to the building is located on the uppermost floor and is accessed by crossing a long bridge over the water. Inside, a large central living room accommodates various seating areas, a kitchen, a dining room and a gym. Bedrooms are situated in the wings.

CWA were approached by the project client to deliver a carbon neutral (in operation) solution for an environmentally sensitive site off-grid on the edge of the FNQ beachfront rainforest. The aim was not to simply produce an engineered outcome but to produce a building which made the most of the site's natural amenity and reintroduced the surrounding native wetland environment. The building is literally reflected by way of its siting over an engineered water ecosystem which was the result of lengthy liaison and collaboration with National Parks, Environmental Agencies, State and Local Government.

The design is formed in an innovative combination of in-situ and precast concrete. The concrete has been engineered and insulated incorporating a total solar panelled roof to provide for a constant cooler and more comfortable ambient temperature year-round. The design utilises massive cantilevers to mitigate impact from potential flooding and king tide inundation associated with cyclonic activity. The project has been designed to be solid and to withstand intense cyclones.

Reminds me of Lautner. A house for the evil guy in a James Bond movie. Beautiful brutality!

D'Maverick

Anybody watched Robotech The Macross Saga? Take a good look at the battleship and make a comparison with the house.

tbh

Soulless.

http://www.zazous.co.uk Kate Austin

A wonderful site with the rare chance to build a single residence with a revolutionary design, and they choose to design a prison. A wasted opputunity.

Carina

It's beautiful and another ultimate doomsday prepper!

Rafel

It scares me to live there. I would pay to demolish it and make something different.

calle wirsch

The expressive form would have been enough. Why these big points all over the facade, like from over-dimensioned formwork anchors? The emphatic concrete framework inside is very dominant.

Concerned Citizen

Something about this attracts me. Maybe it's just the still water.

Sultony

It just needs some portholes at the side and it will appear like a river monster with its huge mouth open ready to gobble up anyone in its path!

iBouc

In France, there are bunkers on the beaches: military fortresses from the war. Their aesthetic code is the same as this house.

Ryan

It's curious, this project was designed to keep one safe and warm from the elements, but lacks so much warmth itself.

DeeCee10000

It’s actually very beautiful when you stop and look at it in its entirety, how it interacts within its surroundings and how much thought went into its construction. What a shame the average homeowner can’t afford to build a home like this in hurricane- or tornado-prone areas.

http://twitter.com/eidam655 @eidam655

I would really love to see the floor plans. Is this really a family house?

http://fortisgw.com Teresa

I don't really like how the ceiling looks. But I love how it looks from the outside, so inviting and warm-looking!